· January, 2011

Stories about Religion from January, 2011

Uganda: Homosexuality not a European concept

  28 January 2011

Mark notes that homosexuality in Uganda is not a European import: “The irony is that homosexuality existed here long before Europeans had ever set foot on the African continent and it is, in fact, Christianity, a true European import, that has demonized homosexuals.”

Lebanon: ‘Day of Rage’ Shocks Bloggers

  27 January 2011

Thousands of supporters of disposed Sunni Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri took to the streets in a 'day of rage' on Tuesday to protest the fall of their leader. The worst of the scenes were in the predominantly Sunni city of Tripoli, where protestors burnt tyres, vehicles, offices, and attacked the media. Bloggers of all political persuasions expressed dismay at the violent behaviour and openly sectarian nature of the protests.

Nepal: Panel Discussion On Case Discrimination

  25 January 2011

Bhumika Ghimire moderated a panel discussion on case discrimination and Nepali women where Dr. Drona Rasali and Ms. Sushma Barakoti, two influential members of Nepali diaspora, were present. You can listen to the discussion in her blog Bhumika's American Adventure.

Pakistan: Wake Up Before Its Too Late

  24 January 2011

“Pakistan’s quasi-democracy might be the nation’s last chance, before a tide of part real, and part manufactured extremism engulfs the country,” opines Raza Rumi.

Mexico: The Passing of Indigenous Rights Supporter Bishop Samuel Ruiz

  24 January 2011

Bishop Samuel Ruiz passed away this morning. Tim Johnson explains: “Ruiz […] started the Fray Bartolome de las Casas Human Rights Center out of his diocese, and played an instrumental role in keeping the Zapatista uprising  that erupted in 1994 from flaring into broader violence. Ruiz’s work on behalf of...

Pakistan: The Veenagate Controversy

  24 January 2011

Veena Malik, an aspiring Pakistani celebrity, was accused by religious hardliners of immoral behavior as she took part in the Indian reality show Big Boss. Reactions on this controversy show that Pakistan now stands divided amongst its conservative and liberal forces.

Malaysia: Hindu Festival Celebrated Amid Protest

  24 January 2011

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam, a public holiday in Malaysia, was celebrated as devotees thronged the famous Batu Caves to fulfil their vows. This year's event became controversial after activists were arrested for protesting the inclusion of a "racist" novel in schools. The book depicts the Indians as the "pariah caste"

Armenia: Not so spiritual remedies abroad

  22 January 2011

Unzipped comments on news that the spiritual leader of Armenia, Catholicos Garegin II, has undergone medical treatment in the U.S. However, the blog concludes, traveling abroad for a simple procedure might seem more like a damning indictment of the Armenian medical system.

Venezuela: The Feast of the Divine Shepherdess

  22 January 2011

The feast of the Divine Shepherdess is celebrated every January 14 in Venezuela. Bloggers recalled and shared the origins and history of this Catholic tradition, while on Twitter and Facebook users shared photos and blessings. The political discussion that is present in the daily life of Venezuelans was also part of this year's celebration.

China: Falun Gong Tiananmen immolation incident ten years on

  21 January 2011

Following up discussions over why China sees so many acts of self-immolation but none of the response seen in Tunisia, Stainless Steel Mouse notes [zh] that ten years have passed since five Falun Gong protesters led a deadly protest in Tiananmen Square: ‘it didn't lead to a Falun Gong uprising,...

Pakistan: Salmaan Taseer- We Buried A Man Not His Courage

  13 January 2011

The death of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has brought to the forefront a clear distinction, on one hand are those who endorse the assassination and glorify the assassin and on the other hand those that consider his death a setback and a national loss.

Brazil: Does democracy respect its religious minorities?

  12 January 2011

Sakamoto reflects [pt] on the news by Folha de São Paulo about Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff's withdrawal of a bible and a crucifix from her office: “State must ensure that all religions are free to exercise their worship”. The news was biased , as Cris Rodrigues explains [pt] in #dilmafactsbyfolha.

Cuba: Decree 217/97

  11 January 2011

Laritza's Laws blogs about the fallout from Decree 217/97, “a rule that turns a Cuban into an illegal in his own country.”

India: Saints As VIPs

  10 January 2011

Debolina Raja Gupta criticizes the tendency of the common Indians in providing the saffron cloth claded Babas (saints) VIP treatment everywhere.